Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Much to the chagrin of Howard Eskin and like-minded folks everywhere, Sam Hinkie and the Sixers ownership have refused to put any kind of timeline on their plan. “You can’t put an exact time frame on something like this,” they say. “When it’s over, we’ll all know,” they tell us. “Give us seven years,” they told Dr. J.

During an appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio yesterday, the legendary Dr. J laid out the timeline as he was told:

“Well when they acquired the team in 2012, maybe, I think the talk was about seven years. Seven years. So I think it’s still on that same timeline …

To be good. To be good. To be formidable. To be a contender. That’s probably the 2018-19 [season], right?”

Dr. J is right. They are still – kinda – on that timeline. That gives the Sixers this season and two more after it to become real contenders in the East. Is it doable? Yes. Do they have to be luckier than they’ve been the past few years? Absolutely.